Find out how popular the last name Sarkisian is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Sarkisian.

Sarkisian, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Sarkisian surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sarkisian in America

Sarkisian is the 15871st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sarkisian surname appeared 1,833 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Sarkisian.

We can also compare 2010 data for Sarkisian to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Sarkisian

The surname "Sarkisian" is of Armenian origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period in the Armenian Highlands. It is derived from the Armenian word "սարկավագ" (sarkavag), which translates to "leader" or "commander." This suggests that the name may have initially been a title or occupation bestowed upon individuals who held positions of authority or leadership within their communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Armenian Gospels of Toros Roslin, a renowned 13th-century illuminated manuscript. This historical document features the name "Սարգիս" (Sargis), which is a variant spelling of "Sarkisian." The manuscript's significance lies in its artistic and cultural value, providing a glimpse into the Armenian literary tradition of the time.

During the 15th century, the name appeared in various records and historical accounts, often associated with prominent figures in Armenian history. One such individual was Sargis Sarkisian, a renowned military commander who led Armenian forces against Ottoman invaders in the late 15th century. His bravery and strategic acumen earned him a place in Armenian folklore and legends.

Another notable figure bearing the name Sarkisian was Khachatur Sarkisian, a prominent Armenian poet and writer who lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His literary works, which explored themes of Armenian identity and cultural preservation, were widely acclaimed and contributed to the preservation of Armenian literary heritage.

In the 19th century, the name gained further recognition with the birth of Hovhannes Sarkisian, a renowned Armenian composer and musician. His compositions, which drew inspiration from Armenian folk melodies and traditions, played a significant role in shaping the country's musical landscape. Hovhannes Sarkisian's contributions were celebrated throughout the Armenian diaspora and beyond.

Another notable figure was Avetis Sarkisian, an Armenian revolutionary who fought for the liberation of the Armenian people during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His unwavering commitment to the cause of Armenian independence earned him a place in the annals of Armenian history as a symbol of resistance against oppression.

Over the centuries, the surname "Sarkisian" has been associated with various place names and regions within the Armenian Highlands, such as the village of Sarki, which may have contributed to the development of the name. Additionally, variations in spelling, including "Sarkissian," "Sargsyan," and "Sarkisyan," have been observed throughout historical records.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sarkisian

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Sarkisian.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Sarkisian was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Sarkisian has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Sarkisian was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Sarkisian, please contact us.

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